The world’s biggest heavy metal battle of the bands is coming to Australia for the first time ever!

The legendary Wacken Metal Battle will be making it’s triumphant debut in the great southern land, giving unsigned Australian metal acts the opportunity to battle it out for a spot at the world’s largest and greatest heavy metal festival - Wacken Open Air. 30 years have passed since the creation of Wacken Open Air and now going into their fourth decade, the “holy land of heavy metal” has chosen Australia as it’s newest inclusion into the ranks of their fabled battle of the bands.

Wacken Open Air and national promoter Bailey Graham (Founder, Pinnacle Music Group) will be bringing the competition across Australia next year in search of the greatest unsigned metal band down under, and send them off to play Wacken Open Air 2020. The regional heats will hit Perth, Adelaide, Sydney and twice in Melbourne.

The process is simple - 8 bands are chosen per regional heat to compete. The winner of every regional heat is given a slot to perform at the grand final in Melbourne at the iconic Max Watts House of Music. The winner of the grand final is given a slot at Wacken Open Air in front of tens of thousands of the world’s biggest metalheads!

Winners are decided by a judging panel of some of Australia’s most prolific industry figures - label heads, journalists, promoters and other influential Australian heavy metal figures.

For further information and band applications, go to the links on the side/below.

• To bands from Tasmania, we urge you to apply for our Victorian heats! 
  
• To bands from ACT, we urge you to apply for our Sydney heat!
• To bands from Northern Territory, we urge you to apply for our SA or WA heats!
  

THIS IS EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW, IF YOU ARE INTERESTED

• Your band doesn't have a deal and isn't about to sign to a label in the near future.
• Your band can easily play a 30 minute set consisting of your own songs.
  
• You're not a band that won former, which means the year before, Metal Battle heats.
• Bands, that participated the years before, but didn't win any of the regional heats may re-apply.
• Bands that won national or international finals can’t participate anymore.
  

HOW TO APPLY

Please send your application (Demo CD with 3-4 songs, photo, band info and contact address) via www.overdrivetouring.com/wmb-australia

Ukraine's most ferocious metal export Jinjer have officially begun work on their highly anticipated third album and follow up to their Napalm Records debut King Of Everything (2016) and their amazing “Micro” EP (2018). Once again teaming up with sound producer Max Morton at Kaska Studio in Kiev, the as of yet untitled album is expected to be released sometime in fall 2019 and promises to be their best and most fierce material to date.
 
     "No rest for the wicked! Together with our long time friend and producer Max Morton, we are pleased to announce that we’ve entered Kaska Studio in Kiev to begin recording our third full album, to be released later this year. Trust us, it’s gonna blow your heads off," says the band.
 
Hot off the heels of the news that numerous North American dates with special guests The Browning being upgraded to bigger venues and some shows near the sell out point, Jinjer have also announced a full blown European Headline Tour in November/December to coincide with the release of their new album.
 
Jinjer seem determined to take over the world one country at a time and by any means necessary:-

     “Europe! We are coming for you! The time has come to show you the fiercest side of Jinjer ever, with a new album, new songs as well as all our older hits and a few surprises in-between. We know a lot of you have been waiting for us to do a proper headline tour with our own production and that time has finally come! Join us this November/December throughout Europe and the United Kingdom and help us celebrate this new era with a bang!”
 
Do not miss your chance to see Jinjer somewhere in Europe or North America this year!

Finnish Folk Metal Superstars Korpiklaani don't seem to need any rest! After playing an extensive European tour with Turisas and Trollfest in support of their latest studio album 'Kulkija' ('Wanderer'), the band is about to kick off an 8-show Australian & New Zealand run (w/ Troldhaugen) tomorrow. But before the sextet continues their current touring cycle with a North American co-headline tour with their label mates in Eluveitie in September/October, Korpiklaani will perform a string of European festival gigs. In anticipation of these upcoming summer dates - starting at Metalfest Open Air, Pilsen (CZ) on June 2nd - the band has unleashed a brand new lyric video for the Czech version of their all-time favourite 'Beer Beer', which can also be found on the tour edition of 'Kulkija'. Check out 'Bír Bír' [ft. Fleret] over on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4drIAMzV7qg

Fleret comments:-

      "The cooperation with Korpiklaani on the Czech version of their hit song 'Beer Beer (Bír Bír)' convinced us that even folk metal superstars like them can be nice guys with stellar manners. Not only did they prove this during the rehearsal at the Masters Of Rock Café in Zlín but also on the Masters Of Rock 2018 festival stage where we played with them after only one rehearsal of their song 'Vodka', our song 'Vizovice' and then - we believe we can say - our common song 'Beer Beer (Bír Bír)' with the Czech lyrics of our lyricist Jan Mrlík. That was a remarkable and exciting experience for us and hopefully for Korpiklaani as well. Korpiklaani, thanks to all of you!"

The track will be available digitally from Friday, May 24!

KORPIKLAANI live:

'The Wayfarers Australia & New Zealand Tour 2019' w/ TROLDHAUGEN

18.05. NZ Wellington - Valhalla *SOLD OUT*
19.05. NZ Auckland - Whammy Bar
21.05. AUS Brisbane - The Triffid
22.05. AUS Sydney - Manning Bar
23.05. AUS Canberra - The Basement
24.05. AUS Melbourne - Max Watt's
25.05. AUS Adelaide - Enigma Bar
26.05. AUS Perth - Amplifier

02.06. CZ Pilsen - Metalfest Open Air
21. - 23.06.  LT Varniai - Kilkim Žaibu
05.07. F Colombier-Saugnieu - Plane ‘R Fest
06.07. D Ballenstedt - Rockharz Open Air
12.07. UA Kiev - Atlas Weekend
26.07. SLO Tolmin - MetalDays
01. - 04.08. RO Rasnov - Rockstadt Extreme Fest
02. - 03.08. FIN Tampere - SaariHelvetti
17.08. F St. Nolff - Motocultor Festival

'Wanderers Towards Rebirth - Kulkija Ad Ategnatos' w/ ELUVEITIE, GONE IN APRIL

19.09. USA Tampa, FL - The Orpheum
20.09. USA Atlanta, GA - The Masquerade
21.09. USA New Orleans, LA - House of Blues
22.09. USA Houston, TX - White Oak Music Hall
23.09. USA Austin, TX - Come and Take It Live
24.09. USA Dallas, TX - Gas Monkey Bar N’ Grill
26.09. USA Mesa, AZ - Club Red

27.09. USA Los Angeles, CA - Regent Theater
28.09. USA Oakland, CA - Metro Operahouse
29.09. USA Portland, OR - The Bossanova Ballroom
30.09. CDN Vancouver, BC - Rickshaw Theatre
01.10. USA Seattle, WA - El Corazon
03.10. USA Denver, CO - Summit
04.10. USA Lincoln, NE - The Royal Grove

05.10. USA Minneapolis, MN - The Cabooze
06.10. USA Chicago, IL - Concord Music Hall
07.10. CDN Toronto, ON - The Opera House
08.10. CDN Ottawa, ON - Brass Monkey
09.10. CDN Montréal, QC - Théâtre Corona
10.10. CDN Québec, QC - Impérial Bell
11.10. USA Worcester, MA - Palladium

12.10. USA Reading, PA - Reverb
13.10. USA Baltimore, MD - Soundstage
14.10. USA New York, NY - PlayStation Theater

Are you a traveller or a wanderer? Be part of Korpiklaani's journey around the world! Use the hashtag  #KorpiklaaniWayfarers on Twitter and Instagram, and your photos will appear here:
http://nblast.de/KorpiklaaniWayfarers

www.korpiklaani.com
www.facebook.com/korpiklaani
www.nuclearblast.de/korpiklaani

Alien Weaponry have released the music video for their new single, "Ahi Kā", which premiered last week over at Billboard. The song represents the first new material from the New Zealand based metal trio since releasing their 2018 debut album, Tū. Fans can check out the music video for "Ahi Kā" via the link below. The track is also featured on Adult Swim's new, streaming-only compilation record Metal Swim 2.

Alien Weaponry's singer-guitarist Lewis de Jong talks about "Ahi Ka" (Which, like many of the band's songs, is sung in New Zealand's indigenous language of Te Reo Māori):-

     "Ahi Kā was inspired by the Auckland city council's decision to burn down what was considered to be the unsightly indigenous Maori village of Okahu Bay in advance of Queen Elizabeth II's 1953 visit. The eviction sparked a 40-year battle for the native Ngati Whatua to reclaim their land, including protests and battles with the police. Amid worldwide criticism, a small portion of the original land was ultimately returned with an apology and some compensation."

Watch "Ahi Ka" HERE

"Ahi Kā" is available for streaming and purchase through Spotify and iTunes (respectively) over HERE!

Fans and music critics alike have applauded the band's approach to unifying Te Reo Māori (the native language of New Zealand) with thrash metal sensibilities; ultimately creating a sound that is driven by emotionally and politically charged conflict while boasting youthful, warrior-like resilience.

Both Lewis and Henry are of Ngati Pikiāo and Ngati Raukawa (Māori tribal) descent, and began their schooling at a kura kaupapa Māori (full immersion Māori language school) where singing waiata (songs) and performing haka were a daily routine. Also ingrained in their early education were stories of New Zealand history told to them by their father, who would also introduce them to the music of Metallica, Rage Against the Machine, Anthrax, Ministry, Red Hot Chili Peppers and many others.

Alien Weaponry was formed in 2010 by brothers Lewis (vocals & guitar) and Henry de Jong (drums), who were 8 and 10 years old at the time. The two would later move to the small town of Waipu in 2012, and went on to meet Ethan Trembath (bass) there in 2013. The de Jong brothers came up with the name Alien Weaponry after watching the film District 9.

Alien Weaponry have also been nominated for "Best International Breakthrough Band" at the 2019 Heavy Music Awards (UK). The event takes place on August 22nd at the O2 Forum Kentish Town in London. Fan voting is now open at https://vote.heavymusicawards.com/  until June 27th.

ALIEN WEAPONRY On Tour:

North American Headlining Tour

11.05.2019 US - Rockingham, NC / Epicenter*
12.05.2019 US - Washington, DC / DC9
13.05.2019 US - Boston, MA / Middle East
15.05.2019 US - New York, NY / Saint Vitus
16.05.2019 CA - Montreal, QC / L'Esco
17.05.2019 CA - Toronto, ON / Velvet Underground
19.05.2019 US - Chicago, IL / Chicago Open Air*

22.05.2019 US - Minneapolis, MN / 7th St Entry
24.05.2019 US - Pryor, OK / Rocklahoma*
26.05.2019 US - Denver, CO / Bluebird Theater
28.05.2019 US - San Francisco, CA / Bottom of the Hill
29.05.2019 US - Los Angeles, CA / The Roxy
 

TOUR DATES EU

07.06.2019 DE - Berlin / Musik & Frieden
08.06.2019 DE - Frankfurt / Batschkapp
10.06.2019 UK - Cardiff / Fuel Rock Club
11.06.2019 UK - Bristol / The Exchange
12.06.2019 UK - Dublin / Vodoo Lounge
13.06.2019 UK - Glasgow / Audio Glasgow
15.06.2019 UK - Donington / DE74 2RP Castle Donington

16.06.2019 UK - London / The Underground Camden
18.06.2019 LX - Belval / Rockhal 
19.06.2019 DE - Köln / Luxor
20.06.2019 DE - Hamburg / Uebel & Gefährlich
21.06.2019 DK - Kobenhavn / Copenhell Festival 2019
23.03.2019 FR - Clisson / Hellfest Open Air 2019
25.06.2019 DE - Saarbrücken / Garage

26.06.2019 DE - Hannover / Capitol
28.06.2019 FI - Helsinki / Tuska Festival 2019
03.07.2019 FR - Paris / Les Etoiles 61 rue du Chateau d´Eu
04.07.2019 FR - Toulouse / Rue Louis Bonin
06.07.2019 ES - Galicia / Resurrection Fest 2019
07.07.2019 PT - Lisbon / RCA Club
09.07.2019 ES - Sevilla / Sala Even

10.07.2019 ES - Madrid / Nasca Music Live
12.07.2019 ES - Barcelona / Sala Boveda
15.07.2019 IT - Milan / Circolo Magnolia
16.07.2019 IT - Padova / Parco Della Musica
20.07.2019 NL - Eindhoven / Dynamo Metalfest 2019
22.07.2019 SL - Tolmin / MetalDays Festival 2019
24.07.2019 HU - Budapest / Dürer Kert

27.07.2019 PL - Warsaw / klub Stodola Batorego
03.08.2019 DE - Stuttgart / Hanns-Matin-Schleyer-halle
06.08.2019 DE - München / Backstage Werk
07.08.2019 DE - Dresden / Alter Schlachthof
08.08.2019 CZ - Josefov / Brutal Assault 2019
10.08.2019 NL - Leewarden / Into The Grave Festival 2019
11.08.2019 BE - Kortrijk / Alcatraz 2019
16.08.2019 AT - Graz / Metal On The Hill Festival 2019
 
Official Website: www.alienweaponry.com    
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AlienWeaponry
Instagram: www.instagram.com/alienweaponry
Twitter: https://twitter.com/alienweaponry

Regrettably, Ozzy Osbourne has postponed all of his 2019 tour dates as he recovers from an injury sustained while dealing with a recent bout of pneumonia. Osbourne fell at his Los Angeles home, aggravating years-old injuries (from his 2003 ATV accident) that required surgery last month. Due to the postponement of Ozzy’s tour, Ozzy Osbourne will no longer be performing at this year’s Rocklahoma. Details about the festival’s Saturday, May 25th line-up will be announced as soon as they are finalized.
 
Ozzy Osbourne released the following statement earlier this morning:-

     “I can’t believe I have to reschedule more tour dates. Words cannot express how frustrated, angry and depressed I am not to be able to tour right now. I’m grateful for the love and support I’m getting from my family, my band, friends and fans, it’s really what’s keeping me going. Just know that I am getting better every day…I will fully recover…I will finish my tour…I will be back!”
 
Mike DuCharme, Festival Producer and Talent Buyer for Rocklahoma says:-

      “While there is no replacement for Ozzy yet, we are working diligently to find a new headliner and will update our fans as soon as we can. We wish Ozzy a speedy recovery, and hope to see him on the Rocklahoma stage in the future.”
 
Rocklahoma will take place May 24-May 26 at Pryor Creek Music Festival Grounds in Pryor, Oklahoma, just outside Tulsa. For more information on Rocklahoma, visit: https://rocklahoma.com
 
Facebook: @Rocklahoma
Twitter: @Rocklahoma
Instagram: @Rocklahoma

On July 6th, Lebanese Metallers Phenomy performed at Metalhead Meeting 2018, in Bucharest, Romania! The band has issued the recap from the festival, read below:

     "It was the first time we play on a big stage like this and it really took us to a next level. On the first moments it was really intimidating but after the second song when we really realised that the crowd were really enjoying our shit it became like a flow of energy passing from the crowd to us and vise versa. After the performance the reception of the fans was awesome.They really showed us that they knew what it took us to be here it was really a pay off for all the hard work.Then of course meeting people from other bands especially Alexi Laiho from Children Of Bodom, the look on his face when we told him that we were from Lebanon was priceless. Also, sharing our experiences on the road was fun and educative. We are really excited for what's to come!"

See more photos here: https://www.facebook.com/pg/OfficialAlphaOmegaManagement/photos/?tab=album&album_id=715122398823819

Next Phenomy shows:

August 2nd-4th - Wacken Open Air 2018 - Event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/328105420965621/

September 7th-8th - Beirut Metal Fest 2018 - Event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1990982270926489/

Lebanese metal band Phenomy was formed by Loïc El Haddad and Rudy Bejjani in 2014. The band’s sound is a mixture of Thrash/Groove metal with Melodies, breakdowns and tribal/ethnic rhythms. Only three month after its formation, Phenomy performed in several local gigs and in the Persian Metal and Rock Festival in Cannakale/Troya city in Turkey alongside big names like Orphaned Land. Later on, Phenomy released their debut album “Once And For All” and received good feedbacks from magazines and webzines, before signing a distribution deal with Via Nocturna in 2017. In Summer 2017 Phenomy toured with Repay the eastern European countries (Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania and Bulgaria). Furthermore the band supported GRAVE in Lebanon in October 2017. The band released their second album “Threaten World Order” on March 2018.

Watch “Sacrifice (Live at i8 Production Studios)” video, taken from their latest album “Threaten World Order”: https://youtu.be/l-p9d6q7uuM

https://www.facebook.com/PhenomyOfficial
https://www.phenomy.net

https://www.facebook.com/OfficialAlphaOmegaManagement
https://alphaomega-management.com

Swiss melodic dark metal band, Xaon continue their stellar 2018 with a show at the Rock The Castle Festival in Verona on June 30th. The festival will take place at the stunning Castle of Villafranca from June 29th to July 1st and will include performances from legendary acts such as Megadeth, A Perfect Circle, Carcass, Killswitch Engage and Testament, to name a few. The group also play this weekend at the Wings Of Bea MetalFest in Santhià, Italy, taking place from June 15th – 17th.

Since the release of their tremendous album The Drift via Sliptrick Records in 2017, Xaon have been playing all over the world taking in a tour of Japan and various major festival appearances. Xaon are booked by our comrades in arms over at Go Loud Agency.

Xaon’s latest release (The Drift) takes the band’s sound to a new sonic level, progressing from spectral ambiances to grandiose and intricate orchestrations. The album evolves from oppressing aggressiveness to majestic lamentations and due to it’s very nature, it is soberly entitled The Drift and presents the band at their electrifying best.

Get your copy of The Drift from: Shop Sliptrick | Amazon | iTunes

Listen to the whole of The Drift on: Spotify

Xaon are:

Rob – Vocals
Vinc – Guitar

Live members: 

John Six (Bass)
Jordan Kiefer (Drums)
Onbra Oscouŗa (Guitars)
Klin HC (Guitars)

Official Website | Facebook | Youtube | On Sliptrick

On 5 May, the biggest underground metal event with over 400 bands took place in 43 countries and 64 cities. It was a huge success with overwhelming impressions from metal communities all over the world. After this passionate display of love for the music and the community, there must be a second round of Metal United World Wide in 2019. Coordinating with so many countries (and possibly even more than in 2018), it is not easy to find consensus but 15 June 2019 has now been chosen for MUWWs second edition.

For those who would like to catch up on the shows they missed, we have compiled a youtube playlist with recorded live streams or videos from a range of countries. On our Facebook page, we shared a large number of videos, photos and reviews. Finally, the lists of shows, participating bands and partners can be found on our website www.metal-united-world-wide.com

The Metal United World Wide team will start with preparations for the next round soon. If you want to be part as a organiser, media partner or supporter - let us know. Don't forget, it's a community project and everybody can participate and contribute.

So on 15 June 2019, the worldwide motto of the metal community will be again:
United We Stand, Divided We Fall! \m/

Metal United World Wide is an initiative to overcome the distances between the widespread individual communities. The event consists of shows around the world on the same date under the united banner. For media contacts, email events@metal-roos.com.au or michael@black-roos.com

AWS have been invited to Wacken Open Air - one of the biggest European metal festivals - this summer!

Wacken team ensured its support to AWS before as well as Germany's biggest metal festival posted a video message on their social media platforms according Eurovision Song Contest 2018.

► AWS - Wacken video message on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/WackenOpenAir.official/videos/2003333269690258/

►AWS - Wacken video message on YouTube:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XG-tV6uwZXM

► AWS - Wacken video message on Twitter:
twitter.com/Wacken/status/99423073483879628

AWS - a hard working, underground modern metal band did it again: after they won the local Eurovision Song Contest - with the support of the whole local scene from the major rock bands till’ the underground death metal fellows - they qualified for the Grand Final of Eurovision 2018.

Sadly they did not win, nonetheless they delivered a powerful performance.

►AWS - Viszlát nyár (Eurovision Semi-Final, Lisbon)
bit.ly/2wAQSvq

►AWS - Viszlát nyár (english and acoustic versions):
bit.ly/2Ibhfxd

►AWS - Viszlát nyár (contest song and karaoke version)
bit.ly/2Ka410j

www.facebook.com/awszenekar
www.facebook.com/EdgeRecordsHungary
www.facebook.com/EurovisionSongContest
www.facebook.com/pg/WackenOpenAir.official

This April and May, Chicago post-metallers Snow Burial will embark on an eleven-date European tour with Cornwall doom outfit Monolithian.  Beginning in the United Kingdom on April 23rd, circling through the continent, and closing with London's acclaimed Desertfest on May 5th, this tour will be Snow Burial's second trip across the pond.

Snow Burial recently recorded at the famed Electrical Audio in early 2018, crafting a split 7-inch with Iowa City’s doom maestros Aseethe (Thrill Jockey). The tapes and vinyl will be released courtesy of Hand Of Death Records. 

The band commented, "We are beyond excited to get back to Europe and hit the road with our good friends in Monolithian. The opportunity to be a part of Desertfest and spend two weeks getting loud across an ocean is amazing and humbling. Add to that the chance to bring with us a brand new split tape with Aseethe from Hand of Death Records and we're on top of the world. "
 
Formed after a Shiner reunion show, Snow Burial established themselves in the American Midwest scene and released twin EPs Oxblood Siren (2013) and Oxblood Tides (2014). Through promoting the EPs and extensive regional touring, the band earned a reputation for their crushing sound and performances.

Following positive reviews, tours, and airplay, the band released their inaugural LP Victory In Ruin in January 2016. Snow Burial continued touring the US and UK in 2017, featuring an opening slot for Scott Kelly and Sanford Parker’s project Mirrors for Psychic Warfare, with coverage from Metal Hammer Magazine and multiple blogs.  In spring 2017, they proudly released a new song “Burn Down the Crown,” on the Unpresidented: DIY vs. Donald Trump benefit compilation.

Tour Dates

*with Quietus (FR)

23.04.18 Portsmouth UK @ The Festing
25.04.18 Saint-Etienne FR @ The Thunderbird
26.04.18 Lille, FR @ Bobble Cafe*
27.04.18 Plzen, CZ @ Divadlo Pod Lampou
28.04.18 Kolin, CZ @ Bar Pod Hodinami 
29.04.18 Biansko-Biala, PL @ Rudeboy Club
30.04.18 Jena, DE @ Cafe Wagner
02.05.18 Barnbury UK @ The Wheatsheaf
03.05.18 Plymouth, UK @ The Underground
04.05.18 Nottingham, UK @ EARTHMOVER Festival (Angel Microbrewery)
w/Primitive Man and Bismuth 

05.05.18 London, UK @ DESERTFEST (The Dev)